Bob Katter is often derided as being a mad raving right-winger; despite this there is no other politician in Australia so capable of having a conservative base and speaking to the political left.

Political analyst Paul Williams stated earlier this year his doubt that Katter’s Australian Party ‘KAP’ would have any serious impact on Queensland politics. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/06/3236154.htm?site=Brisbane]

Such a statement needs reassessment in light of the many steps the party has taken in just a matter of months since its formation.

Without having contested any elections, Katter’s Australian Party already has 5 elected representatives.

First and foremost is the outspoken leader Bob Katter; Katter was first elected as member for Flinders in the Queensland state parliament from 1974 to 1992.

Since 1993 Katter has been the member for Kennedy in the federal Parliament.

Second is the high profile Queensland MP Aidan McLindon, originally elected as Liberal National Party ‘LNP’ member for Beaudesert in 1999.

McLindon resigned the LNP in 2010 to form the Queensland party; In 2011 McLindon attempted to merge his Queensland Party with Katter’s Australian Party.

McLindon believed the two parties shared a common vision and platform and saw a merger was the best way to ensure a strong challenger to the major parties at the 2012 Queensland state election.

The merger was rejected due to insufficient numbers of support among the Queensland party membership and McLindon defected to the represent Katter’s Australian Party in August 2011

The most recent defector is the Member for Dalrymple, Shane Knuth. Knuth has been in the state parliament since 2004 and is considered likely to hold the seat for KAP at the next state election.

Knuth stated his decision in leaving the LNP was influenced by many factors including the dirt files controversy of the LNP paying an ex-Labor party official for information to discredit Labor MP’s.

Knuth cited other factors in his defection to Katter’s party included his view that the Liberal takeover of the Nationals had been disastrous for regional representation and that there was no longer much difference between the Labor and Liberal parties

Other support exist at the local government level, those now standing under the Katter’s Australian Party banner include Robbie Katter, a councillor on Mt Isa Council and son of Bob Katter. Also Councillor David Neuendorf of Lockyer Valley Regional Council and former Noosa Shire councillor Bob Jarvis.

Having federal, state and local government representatives is an advantageous position for the new party to sell itself in a broad political context in the lead up to the 2012 state election.

A poll released in August this year by ReachTEL surveyed 1007 Queenslanders; the results showed that Labor would receive 24.8% of the vote, the LNP 48% while Katter’s Australian Party would receive 9.7% outpolling the Greens 8.5%.

A Poll conducted specifically for the Courier-Mail and published on the 6th of September 2011, asked 800 Queenslanders their voting intentions at the next state election. The results showed that as many as 23% of voters were willing to give support to Katter’s Australian Party. [http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/bob-katters-australia-party-poised-to-receive-major-support-at-next-queensland-election/story-e6freon6-1226129974891]

The Brisbane times also published information from Labor polling in November this year, the results showed consistent support for the new political party. Polling was conducted in the Queensland seat of Mulgrave and placed Katter’s Australian Party at 22%, the Labor incumbent Curtis Pitt at 32% while the LNP sat at 36%. [http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/katter-party-could-cause-trouble-bligh-20111116-1ni2i.html#ixzz1f6YAttB6]

If such a result did occur the party would be in a similar position to One Nation in the 90’s and become the third force in Queensland politics with the potential to influence the federal sphere through the electing members to both houses of parliament.

It should be noted that with a federal representative, two members in the state parliament and a number of local government representatives, Katter’s Australia party has already taken the place of fourth largest political party in Australia, all this without contesting any elections.

The only other political formation on a similar footing is the ‘No Pokies’ idependant grouping headed by Nick Xenophon in the Senate with two members elected to the South Australian upper house.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has echoed many of the claims of the LNP defectors when she stated ‘Katter’s new political party is a sign residents in the bush feel they have lost their voice with the formation of the LNP.’[http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/06/06/3236154.htm?site=Brisbane]

Bligh will be hoping that Katter will split the conservative vote but she should be careful of Katter’s ability to speak the concerns of traditional Labor voters.

Katter has already struck a chord with traditional Labor voters with his attacks over the privatisations Premier Bligh has presided over.

An article ‘Unlikely allies join Katter camp’ in the Australian on the 19th of October 2011, stated that Victoria Electrical Trades Union secretary, Dean Mighell, had contributed $50,000 to Katter’s Australian Party.

Mighell stated ‘I have known Bob Katter for a while and in many ways he is a better friend to the union movement than Labor.’ and ‘Bob is opposed to privatisation and free-trade agreements and has been fighting for Australian jobs, he is an important political voice for the Australian workers.’ [http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/unlikely-allies-join-katter-camp/story-e6frgczx-1226170105337]

Although a social conservative, Katter’s father was initially a member of the Australian Labor Party but after the labor splits leading to the formation of the Democratic Labor Party, Katter’s father joined the Country Party.

From reading the policies on the website for Katter’s Australian Party it becomes clear that traditional Labor values were instilled in Katter.

The party’s values state that it is the Governments role to provide essential services i.e. airports, water, electricity, gas, health services, road networks, public transport and communications and makes sure these are affordable for all.

The party promises to end privatisation and even reverse previous asset sales where possible. On workers’ rights the party states their belief in collective bargaining and Katter has personally stated his support for unionism, the right to strike and the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The party website also discusses the need for full employment, equitable distribution of income, raising living standards, prosperity, opportunity and equality for all Australians.

Liberal, Labor and the Greens should be cautiously eyeing the results of the 2012 Queensland election.

It is possible that Katter’s Australia party could also throw a challenge to the Greens as the third force in the north of Australia. Polling in Queensland has shown the Greens trailing Katter’s Party.

The Greens should also be concerned that their one time member, Dean Mighell has turned his back on them and is supporting Katter. The support Mighell offered the Greens through the backing of the ETU was crucial to winning the seat of Melbourne at the last federal election.

For many voters fed up with the Major parties, The Greens look like a compromised force which is no longer able to fiercely criticise the Governments they support.

The potential for Katter’s Australia party to attract voters from across the political spectrum and take up the mantle of defending the Aussie battlers against the Labor and Liberal duopoly should not be underestimated.

KAP may poll well but in most states 50% +1 of the vote is neded to win the single member electorates.

Preferences may play a role here with the 2 old parties prefering somebody else but the numbers can go wild when almost 20% are showing their support for another party. [9.7 +8.5]

Posted by phill Parsons on 05/12/11 at 06:09 AM

The Greens would do well to up their voice on their opposition to free trade agreements especially now that Gillard has been spruiking more free trade with CHina.

Once upon a time Australia use to be much more self sufficient from production from small industries. Now nearly all consumer products come from China, our dole queues are longer and we have greater levels of poverty and disenfranchisement.

And the Laborials keep talking about ‘creating jobs’ - what a joke.

Tariff protection kept our people in jobs not on welfare benefits and suffering the ensuing depression or malaise from the hopelessness of long term unemployment

Self sufficiency was the catch cry of the 1960’s. Now the talk is about sustainability but no self sufficiency. Australians have been duped.

Why….because the words ‘tariff protection’ became politically taboo in the rush to globalisation.

Katter’s position on farmers for $$$‘s sake only when it comes down to protecting the health of the Murray Darling will be interesting to watch. This may sort out some of the would be swinging voters who want to see self sufficiency and sustainability.

Sources on Melbourne construction sites
told VEXNEWS Mighell has backed off from supporting the Greens because of the vehement reaction from his members at their antics. “He reckons he supported them because of the workplace relations policies but won’t be anymore.”

Posted by Matthew Holloway on 05/12/11 at 10:59 AM

Katter is a Queensland phenomena that has much to do with the inequality of the distribution of wealth from the resources boom. What we don’t read about in our local press are the high levels of long term unskilled unemployment, especially urban, and continuing rural decline outside of the extractive industries. Further, there is a growing backlash against the exporting of the manufacturing of the infrastructure requirements of the boom. You may recall recent press about tenders for steel written in mandarin etc. The sad realisation for the locals around the developments are that the wealth goes elsewhere. The workers are fly in fly out, whether from overseas skilled migrants or domestic, the contracting companies are primarily multinationals who are industry rather than community focussed (by and large they do a great job but it is all about the bottom line) and the local businesses that flourish are usually those that cater for baser needs. Kater is spot on in tapping into the resistance to the changes this massive extractive development brings. Although another state, take James Price Point 60k north of Broome. 30b plus. To put it in perspective the Tamar mill is about 2b. That will destroy Broome as we know it. Most locals oppose the development. When it all is stripped back these people rightly see their way of life, often still with a functioning CWA, swept aside so that someone else somewhere on the planet can have a larger flat screen or flasher car. “Development”, like change, is not always good, nor always welcome. Katter is no fool.

Posted by James Crotty on 05/12/11 at 11:18 AM

Not exactly James. I am associated with a family of 5 daughters of which each male partner is linked to the resources boom in Central West and Far North Qld. Not one is FIFO, rather they are camped onsite and drive when off duty to return to the family home.
Two of the daughters supply the essential needs of the workers and their families on a seven day basis and employ staff to assist.

10 years ago everyone from these towns were on the bones of their arses.
Some industries have done very well in supplying staff and tyres, batteries, accessories. I use these as a basic description of how much the rural and urban areas have and can benefit.
I wish I was young enough to join them.
And it flows on out to the rural farming communities who supply cattle and grain. The bummer for the rural farmers is that they lose their staff to become CAT and dump truck drivers. I give you one instance of a niece who is 21 and earns over $2k a week as a driver of an air conditioned, automatic geared mine truck.
Oh, and let’s not forget the wealth being extruded from the workers by the land lords of accommodation in and around these mine areas.

I have only uncovered a minimal composition of how deep this earning wealth goes to.

Katter is thriving on those who are missing out and being screwed by the Bligh government. The people, that are having their lives turned upside down by cowboy operators and roughshod companies who use their side of the law to gain advantage, are the ones complaining the loudest, as they should.

Posted by John Wade on 05/12/11 at 02:36 PM

Great article. I’d be keen to see Katter’s Australian Party get a guernsey in federal politics if it could clean up the corruption we have in Tasmanian state government, even just from unfettering Four Corners. Not easy to be sure just what direction Federal Labor is applying to the ABC.

Posted by Mark Stanhope on 06/12/11 at 07:56 AM

Howard stopped One Nation in it’s tracks. When Abbott is elected Prime Minister, he will do the same to the Katter Australian Party. A LNP landslide in Queensland will snuff the Katter Australian Party out bigtime! Greens’ voters are not likely Katter Australian Party voters and it is farcical to even consider such a thing!The Greens are a party of the progressive left and that is where there demographic is well and truly. Dont worry, Bandt wont need to worry about funding from Mighell for the seat of Melbourne, the donations will flow in thick and fast from all over the country!

Posted by Brenton on 06/12/11 at 03:22 PM

Brenton #7 I think your assesment is wrong, yes Howard stopped One Nation in it’s tracks, but that was a new party with people inexperienced in the political system. Katter knows the game and he will fight back.

As for the Greens, they would be stupid not to preference Katter. KAP’s economic and environmental policies are more in-line with the Greens than those of the major parties. If they preference Katter’s party last it will show them up for being just as much a part of the political machine as the major parties.

As for Bandt.. Melbourne residents have been stating how he is a missing in action member and his office is uncontactable. Bandt has an agenda and no matter how much money people throw at his next campaign, there will be a backlash vote against Bandt. At any rate, Labor and Liberal won’t lose a lower house seat to the Greens again. They will both preference each other before the Greens to lock the Greens out like they did at the Victorian state election. Bandt will be a one hit wonder!
Sent from my iPhone

Posted by Megan Tatham on 07/12/11 at 10:13 AM

Megan #8 I personally know dozens of people in the Melbourne electorate, they all vote Green and none of them are party members. Bandt has a very good chance of winning. Hard to contact? That is purely Labor Party propaganda and inaccurate! Seen it written by other Labor Party hacks on heaps of sites and blogs! The Melbourne electorate is too educated and bright for that! If the Labor Party preference the Liberals it will ensure a Bandt victory. So please do it! Two can play at that game! If Labor preference the Liberals with the current polling, I don’t think there are going to be too many Labor MP’s in the next Parliament. Count then on one hand! Labor is going to need every vote and preference it can gather. I know lot’s of Green voters who have already decided long ago if Labor ever preferences the Liberals over the Greens and it isn’t a pretty picture for Labor. A big kamakaze run, not seen since WW2 will be hitting the ALP! If I was you Megan, I would spend your time convincing all of the Labor MP’s who are going to vote against Marriage Equality to support it because all of those names are going to be written into the shame file of political history and I think the Greens are going to poll very well at the Federal election. There are going to be a lot of very disappointed young people who have passionately backed and fought for Marriage Equality in this country and most of them heterosexual!

Posted by Brenton on 07/12/11 at 12:46 PM

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